Energywork encompasses the way I utilize energy modalities to help support and facilitate trauma healing. Reiki creates the foundation of my approach, rooted in universal energy and promoting healing through working towards an optimal flow of energy in the mind, body, and spirit. I also work with other frequencies, such as elemental energy, plant spirits/energy, and a process I call Dual Frequency Activation. I utilize energywork to go beyond the purely physical (bones, muscles, organ systems and more), to the emotional, subconscious, and unconscious layers of the body.
Energy has the ability to move backwards and forwards through time, which allows us to work with past events and sensory memory, trauma-based energy held in the body, emotional frequencies of younger parts of self, and fragmented somatic responses. As we connect to energy moving forward in time, we can create resources to carry into life outside of the session and open doors to new ways of being. Activating Dual Frequency is about holding awareness in our bodies that a cycle is still a circle: all the phases are connected, our unconscious holds the paradox of opposite movement, with death and rebirth living side by side.
Energywork can be a highly non-verbal modality, creating space for emotional processing and release without necessarily sharing context or trauma history, which is particularly helpful for those who presently or in the past have done a lot of verbal trauma processing with a psychotherapist.
We may also include conscious breathing to facilitate release, therapeutic use of sound, and visualization. I offer two main types of energy work sessions: Restorative Energywork for nourishment and grounding and Energetic Clearing and Release for working dynamically and transmuting energy that is ready to move. These sessions are highly intuitive, and include a psychic component for those who with to connect more with your guides. All in-person and virtual sessions can be scheduled here.
I also offer these modalities as monthly groups: Restorative Reiki Practice Group and Rinse & Repeat for energetic clearing and release.
Trancework is the facilitation of trance states of consciousness for therapeutic support.
My style is rooted in Ericksonian Hypnosis, but has expanded to include integrative hypnosis techniques, mindfulness, somatic awareness, visualization, sound, and Reiki.
Trancework is a natural pairing with Energywork, extending beyond the physical to the level of the unconscious and subconscious mind, including thoughts and beliefs, our ego (who we think we are), mind states that root into different ages (age regression and progression), dreams and personal symbols, and more. Trance practice can utilize a range of depths for different therapeutic benefits, from light trancework allowing for highly interactive dialogues that work with changing behavior patterns and developing insight, to mid-level trances that repattern subconscious beliefs as well as unlocking untapped resources, to deep trances which are guided journeys into the most abstract, intuitive and symbolic aspects of our awareness. Trancework is woven into most energywork sessions and will move through multiple layers are different points.
We may also include dreamwork, which I approach from a gestalt style which is experiential and insight-based rather than traditional dream analysis; we uncover the meaning of the dream together rather than me telling you. Dreamwork can be used to process and understand nighttime dreams in the common sense, as well as visions and waking dreams.
You might be wondering, isn't trancework more of a "mind" modality? It is, but it is also held in the body.
If you would like to dive deeper into the energy of your mind, you may wish to explore Intuitive Dialogue sessions.
I offer a trancework group online called Inward Vision, which is a great space to be introduced to to the practice, and to explore self-hypnosis techniques.
I believe that all healing is self healing, and we cannot heal individually in isolation from community. Part of developing connection to self, to your innate wholeness, is extending that care out to others and deepening relationships. We cannot be embodied and empathically attuned while remaining numb to the suffering and needs of others, and yet we also need to lead from self-love in order to make authentic connections with those around us. The mind expanding results of this deep, embodied healing is that we can engage more deeply with our chosen beliefs and principles, and support the freedom and happiness of all beings. While we may be focusing on goals and needs on the individual level in session, my approach is rooted in this foundation and deeply woven into the way I hold healing space. Similarly, I try to diminish the tendency for the facilitator to take on the role of "healer." My approach centers an intention to empower you to hold your own healing space, and to have the tools on continue your own process outside of sessions and after our work together is complete.
Over many years of trauma work I’ve developed keen awareness and observation that can be applied quickly and skillfully to determine what might be the most effective way to approach a wide range of emotional, somatic and trauma responses. My style weaves modalities together and shifts between them based on what emerges in a session. Choosing to book a Restorative or Clearing and Release session helps us to identify what you believe will be most helpful in the moment, but we always have the ability to shift as needed. Restorative sessions are intended to be more non-verbal, with the trance elements designed to maximize relaxation. Clearing and Release intends to move energy and work directly these stuck/stagnant areas, and the trance elements in these sessions are designed to get to the root of the energetic interference. For those who wish to expand this processing and illumination beyond the present lifetime, we can also incorporate past life and karmic work.
Frequently, I may receive intuitive or psychic information during an energywork session. With your permission I can share those impressions as they arise, or if you prefer we can focus more exclusively on the emotional/mental/physical level. Energywork can be approached from a highly spiritual perspective or a more agnostic stance, but my perspective is ultimately non-denominational.
Please note that Energywork, Trancework, Breathwork, Reiki, and Hypnosis are not a substitute for Psychotherapy or treatment for medical illness. If you have concerns about whether you can safely practice please consult your doctor.
Supportive modalities have the potential to be hugely therapeutic, however they are not a substitute for therapy. But there are a number of reasons why the structure and qualities of these methods may be preferable. The first is they do not require the standard “once per week on the same day and time” format. Supportive work can be weekly for a period of time, periodically, or as needed. Some people find that even one session can be hugely beneficial, although at least few sessions are suggested. This may be a better fit for those with irregular schedules, who travel frequently, or who are not financially able to commit to a weekly ongoing appointment.
The second is that this type of work can be very helpful for those who have already been in psychotherapy, and are ambivalent about “starting over” or how they will make progress without hashing over the same material and memories. Sometimes the result of energy practice is that an individual does decide they wish to return to therapy, in which case I can make a referral using my wide network of talented therapists. All of these modalities are primarily non-verbal or subconsciously oriented, so there is no need for a long intake process; we can dive right in to the core issues on the experiential level without needing to disclose all the details. These sessions can also be a compliment to talk therapy if you're already working with someone.
I believe the process yields the best "results" with at least 3-6 sessions at regular intervals, along with maintenance in between sessions. Groups are an excellent way to continue supportive work in the structure of a community space when you feel you've addressed what initially brought you to individual work.
The easiest way to book is to schedule online through my booking portal. Most sessions are about an hour and cost $175. You can purchase a three month subscription as well, which offers a discount to the overall rate (as low as $100 per session) and allow for deeper work around a particular theme; email me for the link to purchase a subscription. Returning and existing clients can schedule future sessions at a reduced rate. For greater financial accessibility you can look through my groups which all utilize broad sliding scale and are generally $25-50 at full cost. If you have more questions you can email me at mikellamillen(at)gmail(dot)com